Well, Janet Napolitano has made a good, if half-hearted, start to atoning for her departmentÂ’s insulting, un-American tarring of political activists and military personnel as potential terrorists.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano apologized to veterans after a report issued by her department said troops returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were at risk for being recruited by right-wing extremists.

"To the extent veterans read it as an accusation ... an apology is owed," she said during an on-air interview on FOX News Thursday, a day after veterans' groups and members of Congress blasted her for the report, which they said libeled members of the armed forces.

"This was an assessment, not an accusation," Napolitano continued. "It was limited to extremists those who seek to commit violence within the United States. And all this was meant to do was to give law enforcement what we call 'situational awareness.'"

"The last thing I want to do is offend or castigate all veterans. To the contrary, let's meet and clear the air," she said.

"I'm not running away from it, but I will say it was an assessment. It was not an accusation, and quite frankly, these are products that are produced and shared with law enforcement on a routine basis."

Unfortunately, this report contains no specific information to back up its claims of a right-wing threat of terrorist activity. What’s more, the report tars holders of mainstream political positions – indeed, anyone who believes in the GOP platform adopted last summer – as extremists and potential terrorists. That stands in sharp contrast to previous reports that had a specific focus on actual groups threatening or engaging in violent or criminal activity. And for that reason, Napolitano’s apology does not go far enough. Indeed, her willingness to stand by this report is a sign of her unfitness for the position she holds (or any other position of public trust).

So tell me, where is the apology to the rest of us? And what action will be taken to prevent such shoddy, poorly documented political hit pieces from being issued by DHS in the future? Who is going to lose their job or be demoted over this outrage? Does the buck stop anywhere?

Posted by: Greg at 09:56 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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